Vienna to Győr Day Trip: Easy Train Ride & Top Things to Do

I went to Győr for a day trip for a simple reason, it’s halfway between where I live (Vienna) and where my Hungarian friend lives (Budapest). Meeting in the middle just made sense. No big plan, no checklist of things to see, just a good spot to catch up with a close friend I hadn’t seen in a year.

If you’re planning a Vienna to Győr day trip in early autumn, September is a great time to go. The weather was warm enough to walk around without freezing or sweating, and the city had that quiet, back-to-school feel you only get after summer crowds disappear. Győr, a small city in western Hungary, doesn’t try to impress you, but it’s easy to like. It’s clean, colorful, and small enough to see without rushing. There’s a calmness to it that you just don’t get in big cities. If you’re after an easy, low-pressure day outside Vienna, this is exactly that.

How to Get from Vienna to Győr by Train

Getting from Vienna, Austria, to Győr, Hungary, is pretty straightforward, you just hop on an ÖBB train heading toward Budapest. They run almost every hour and take around 1 hour and 20 minutes, depending on the connection. You can leave in the morning, spend the day there, and still be back in Vienna by dinner without feeling rushed.

If you’re wondering what the trains look like schedule-wise, here’s an example of the morning departures from Vienna to Győr.

Tickets are usually around €15–€20 each way, and you can grab them straight from the ÖBB website or the app. I booked mine the night before and had no problem finding a seat. The train drops you off at Győr Station (Győr vasútállomás), which is super central and only about a ten-minute walk from the old town. No need to stress about taking a Hungarian taxi or bus.

If you’re planning a Vienna to Győr day trip, this is hands-down the easiest way to go. Most trains are Railjet or EuroCity services, so you’ll get Wi-Fi, outlets, and comfortable seats. And if you’ve got a Vorteilscard or any ÖBB discount pass, it’s even cheaper. No border checks, no stress, just grab a coffee, sit back, and before you know it, you’re in Hungary.

What to See and Do in Győr

If you’re visiting Győr on a day trip from Vienna, you’ll probably spend most of your time in the old town, and that’s exactly where you should be. The center is compact and colorful, with pastel buildings, cobblestone streets, and a few cafés that spill out into the squares. Széchenyi Square is the main spot, lined with baroque facades, churches, and a relaxed local atmosphere.

Top things to do on a Vienna to Győr day trip:

• Wander through Széchenyi Square and the pastel-colored Old Town
• Stop by Győr City Hall for a quick photo of its Baroque Revival façade
• Visit the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady
• Walk or bike along the Rába River paths
• Relax at the Rába Quelle Thermal Baths if you have extra time

For more ideas and local events, see the official Visit Hungary page for Győr.

Just a few minutes from the old town, Győr City Hall stands out with its tall clock tower and elegant Baroque Revival architecture. It’s one of the city’s most photogenic landmarks, so it’s worth a quick stop even if you’re just snapping a photo on your way in from the train station, you’ll pass right by it anyway.

If you walk down toward the river, you’ll find the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady, one of the oldest churches in Hungary. Step inside for a few minutes if it’s open; the interior is small but ornate, and it gives you a glimpse into the city’s religious history.

For a slower pace, follow the riverside paths along the Rába River. Győr sits at the confluence of three rivers, the Danube, Rába, and Rábca, which gives the city its unique layout. Locals come here to cycle, sit with a drink, or just enjoy the quiet. On warm days, it’s one of the nicest places to pause and take in the view. Honestly I was so impressed.

If you’re after something different, you could also visit Rába Quelle Thermal Baths, just across the bridge from the center. It’s a modern wellness complex with indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, and river views. Entry usually costs around €15–€20 (about USD 16–$22), and it’s a great way to unwind if you have a couple of extra hours before your train back to Vienna.

Győr isn’t a city packed with major attractions, and that’s exactly why it works for a day trip. You can explore without rushing, grab a coffee, people-watch in the square, and still feel like you’ve seen a different side of Hungary.

Food & Coffee in Győr

We stopped for lunch at a local spot called Büfé-Pecsenyesütöde, a small street stand near the main square that sells Hungarian sausages by weight. My friend, who’s from Budapest, said it was as typical as it gets, the kind of no-frills place locals actually go to. We tried both the black sausage (véres hurka) and the regular pork sausage (kolbász) with fries. It wasn’t winning any awards, and the online reviews aren’t great, but it was cheap, filling, and surprisingly tasty. You can find it here on Google Maps.

If you prefer to sit down somewhere, there are plenty of cafés around Széchenyi Square where you can grab a coffee or dessert for a few euros. Try any place that’s busy with locals, that’s usually the best sign. Most menus have some English translations, and staff are used to visitors even if you don’t speak Hungarian. I paid in forints, but a few places near the square were fine with euros too, which makes things pretty easy for day-trippers coming from Vienna.

Final Thoughts: Is a Vienna to Győr Day Trip Worth It?

If you’re staying in Vienna and want to see a bit of Hungary without committing to a full trip to Budapest, a day trip to Győr is absolutely worth it. It’s just over 120 kilometers from Vienna, takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes by train, and gives you a quick, affordable taste of another country in a single day. Sounds like a win to me.

That said, keep your expectations realistic. Győr isn’t packed with big attractions or nightlife. It’s more of a quiet, colorful detour, perfect if you just want a relaxed day out, grab some food, and walk around somewhere new.

For me, it was mainly about meeting my friend and catching up, and Győr turned out to be the perfect setting for that. No crowds, no stress, just a solid day in a town that surprised me in the best way.

If you’ve already done Budapest or Bratislava and want something different, Győr is an easy, underrated option. That being said, it wouldn’t be my first choice if I was pressed for time. And if you’re planning more short escapes from the Austrian capital, check out my guides to Melk and Budapest, both are great for quick day trips by train.

FAQ: Day Trip from Vienna to Győr